Holder for flexible receptacle liners

ABSTRACT

A holder having a hollow frame body member with a selected diameter whereby to seat on the top edge of a receptacle such as a garbage can. The holder has an upright portion arranged to lie along a vertical surface of the receptacle adjacent its opening. Some embodiments have an outwardly extending upper portion arranged to seat on the top edge of the receptacle. Also, some forms of the invention have a pair of disconnected ends, and means are provided for receiving the disconnected ends and connecting them together. The body member is arranged to receive an upper portion of the liner up through the hollow center thereof and to have the upper portion of the liner folded over the outside of the body member, whereby upon supporting the body member on a receptacle the upper portion of the liner can be tucked inside the receptacle with the body member of the holder engaging a portion of the liner between it and the receptacle. A method of installing a holder and liner assembly in a receptacle comprises seating the holder on the container top, placing the liner in the receptacle and draping surplus material over the outside of the receptacle, raising the liner and holder high enough to tuck the surplus material inside, and then reseating the assembly.

United States Patent [191 Heitz [451 Dec. 13, 1973 [54] HOLDER FOR FLEXIBLE RECEPTACLE LINERS [76] Inventor: Charles T. l-leitz, 7200 SE. 92nd Related 1.1.8. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 802,521, Feb. 26, 1969, abandoned, and a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 768,395, Oct. 17, 1968, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 220/63 R, 220/65, 220/85 B, 248/99, 248/101 [51] Int. Cl 865d 25/14 [58] Field of Search 220/63 R, 65, 17, 220/85 B; 248/95, 99, 100, 101

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 165,586 7/1875 .lames 248/95 313,515 3/1885 Parker 248/99 1,037,265 9/1912 Kirkpatrick... 248/99 X 1,650,447 11/1927 Heyer 248/99 2,145,613 1/1939 Shenk et al. 220/63 R 2,987,216 6/1961 Fletcher 220/63 R X 3,180,384 4/1965 Seifert 248/95 X 3,240,457 3/1966 Backlund et a1 248/99 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 478,788 11/1951 Canada 220/63 R 400,890 4/1966 Switzerland 248/101 Primary ExaminerGeorge E. Lowrance Assistant ExaminerJames R. Garrett Attorney-Eugene M. Eckelman 57 5 ABSTRACT A holder having a hollow frame body member with a selected diameter whereby to seat on the top edge of a receptacle such as a garbage can. The holder has an upright portion arranged to lie along a vertical surface of the receptacle adjacent its opening. Some embodiments have an outwardly extending upper portion arranged to seat on the top edge of the receptacle. Also, some forms of the invention have a pair of disconnected ends, and means are provided for receiving the disconnected ends and connecting them together. The body member is arranged to receive an upper portion of the liner up through the hollow center thereof and to have the upper portion of the liner folded over the outside of the body member, whereby upon supporting the body member on a receptacle the upper portion of the liner can be tucked inside the receptacle with the body member of the holder engaging a portion of the liner between it and the receptacle. A method of installing a holder and liner assembly in a receptacle comprises seating the holder on the container top, placing the liner in the receptacle and draping surplus material over the outside of the receptacle, raising the liner and holder high enough to tuck the surplus material inside, and then reseating the assembly.

11 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures 5 .YTELMQ PAIENTEBDEEI 81w SHEET in? 2 3 I NVENTOR. CHARLES T. HEITZ g ATTY.

FIG.

PATENI DEC] 8 I975 3.779.419 sum 2 2 CHARLES FIG. 9

FIG.

'1 HOLDER FOR FLEXIBLE RECEPTACLE LINERS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 802,52], filed Feb. 26, 1969, now abandoned for Holder For Flexible Receptacle Liners in turn a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 768,395, filed Oct. 7, 1968, now abandoned, for Holder For Flexible Receptacle Liners.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel receptacle and liner assembly and process of installation.

Flexible receptacle liners, such as paper or plastic, are now in common use, and it is customary when placing such liners in a receptacle to drape any excess length at the top of the liner down over the outside of the receptacle. Such exposed portion of the liner presents an unattractive appearance. Also, merely draping the upper portion of the liner over the top edge of the receptacle does not anchor the liner on the receptacle and the liner is apt to fall into the receptacle. No prior art devices have been devised which are economically feasible and convenient to use for holding a liner in place on the receptacle as well as serving to allow excess upper portions of the liner to be folded back into the receptacle so as to be out of sight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention comprises a holder for flexible receptacle liners which has as its principal objective to be constructed and arranged to hold a flexible liner in a receptacle and also allow excess material at the top of the liner to be tucked inside the receptacle in order that such excess material is not visible from the exterior of the receptacle.

A more particular object is to provide a holder for flexible receptacle liners of a structure capable of being formed from a single piece of stock. Such holder is selectively dimensioned to seat on the top edge of a receptacle and a preferred embodiment has an inwardly offset, downturned portion extending along the inside surface of the receptacle.

Another object is to provide a holder for flexible receptacle liners which in one embodiment includes a hollow frame body member having disconnected ends and which also includes a sleeve member arranged to engage such disconnected ends for holding the body member in a formed use condition. Another object is to provide a holder for flexible receptacle liners which includes a hollow frame body member having disconnected ends and connector means therefor arranged to vary the diameter of said body member.

Another object is to provide a process of installing a liner and holder therefor on an open top receptacle.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description which illustrates preferred forms of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a receptacle, partly broken away having one form of the present holder seated thereon;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and showing one form of connector for attaching disconnected ends of the holder together;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3',

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another form of connector for attaching disconnected ends of the holder;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the holder of FIG. 1 in collapsed condition for shipment and storage;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of still another form of connector for attaching disconnected ends of the holder;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modified structure of holder;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a modified form of the holder assuming a rectangular shape;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a somewhat modified form of the holder;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line l2-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a plan view, partly broken away, of another form of the holder;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 14-44 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative form of connector for attaching disconnected ends of the holder;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are sectional views of further forms of the holder;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of still another form of holder;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the holder of FIG. 18; and

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a connector for attaching ends of the holder of FIG. 19, FIG. 21 being a sectional view and being taken on the line 2ll21 of FIG. 19.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With particular reference to the drawings and first to FIGS. 1-4, one form of the holder of the present invention comprises a body member 10 which when used on a round receptacle such as a garbage can is annular in shape. Preferably, the body member of FIG. 1 is formed of a bendable wire stock although of course it can be constructed of other materials such as rubber, plastic, and the like as will be more apparent hereinafter.

Body member 10 is provided with a plurality of downwardly depending tabs 12 which are adapted to lie along the inner surface of a receptacle 141, FIG. 2, in the mounted position of the holder. In the usual construction, receptacles 14 have a top rolled edge 16, and in order to seat on such rolled edge with the tabs 12 extending downwardly in the receptacle, the said tabs are offset inwardly. Although the tabs may comprise any suitable structure, a preferred manner of forming them is to make them U-shaped, best shown in FIG. 3, and form them as a part of outwardly or radially extending portions 18, FIGS. 2 and 4, serving to offset the tabs from the axial line of the body member.

The overall diameter of the annular body member 10 is of selected dimension so that it will seat on top of the rolled edge 16 of the receptacle, but as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the diametral dimension of the holder is less than the outside diameter of the rolled edge of the receptacle to allow a lid 19 to be inserted on the receptacle.

Body member has disconnected end portions 20 and 22, FIG. 3, and in one embodiment the disconnected ends 20 and 22 of the body member 10 are held together by a sleeve 24 and a turnbuckle 26. In this form of the invention, sleeve 24 freely receives the ends of the body member and the turnbuckle comprises the connecting member. Such turnbuckle has loop ends 28 which are crimped on two end tabs 12 for integral connection. By means of the turnbuckle, the diameter of the body member can be varied to fit different size receptacles. The turnbuckle, being connected to the tabs, fits inside the receptacle with said tabs and does not interfere with use of the holder or use of the receptacle.

In another embodiment, the disconnected ends 20 and 22 of the body member are held together by a sleeve 30, FIG. 5. The sleeve receives the ends 20 and 22 of the body 10 and one end thereof, such as the end 20, in the manufacture thereof is inserted part way into the sleeve and securely fixed to the latter by crimp portions 32 formed in the sleeve. In the packaging and shipping of the present holder the end 22 of the body member is free of the sleeve and the body member may be coiled into a small package as shown in FIG. 6. Then, when the holder is to be put in use the end 22 is inserted into the sleeve 30 to cause the body member to assume its annular shape. It is not necessary that the end 22 of the body member be securely fixed in the sleeve when the holder is put into use since the coiling forces of the body member will hold it in place. It is preferred, however, that the end 22 have a substantially tight fit within'the sleeve. By means of the present structure, the present holder, as stated above, can be packaged, shipped and stored in a compact unit and when it is to be put to use it is merely expanded to its annular shape.

FIG. 7 shows another form of connecting means for the disconnected ends 20 and 22 of the holder. In this form, a sleeve 36 is employed somewhat like FIG. 3 but has a bore to receive the ends of the holder in a substantially tight but adjustable fit. In other words, the sleeve 36 receives the ends of the holder in a fit which maintains the latter at a selected diameter but which at the same time allows forced adjustment of the ends in the sleeve to vary the diameter of the holder to fit receptacles of different size.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modified form of the holder wherein the tabs 12 are curved throughout their length whereby to form the inward bend 18' as well as to fit in an inner annular recess 38 which some receptacles have. In this construction, the tabs 12 have somewhat of a snap fit into the recess 38 of the can and thus the holder is firmly anchored in place. The tabs, being formed of wire stock, are slightly flexible to allow the holder to be snapped into place.

FIGS. 2 and 8 illustrate the manner in which a liner 40 is held on a receptacle by a holder. Such a liner comprises a bag-like structure and has sufficient length with relation to the height of the receptacle to accommodate many heights of receptacles and also to have an excess portion thereof drape over the top edge of the receptacle. To install a liner 40 in a receptacle with the present invention, a holder is seated on the receptacle and the liner then placed in the receptacle. The excess material of the liner at the top of the bag is draped down over the outside of the holder. The liner and holder are then raised high enough to tuck the excess material inside between the holder and receptacle. Of course, if desired,the sequence of installing the liner and holder may comprise the initial step ofinserting the liner in the holder before the holder and liner are placed on the top edge of the receptacle. The excess material at the top does not present an unattractive appearance. Since the excess portion of the liner extends down into the receptacle, the holder is seated on the liner in its mounted position and the weight of such holder, as well as the engagement of the tabs l2, 12 with the inside of the receptacle, prevents the liner from falling down into the receptacle. The invention provides a simplified and inexpensive holder for receptacles liners. It does not interfere with the operation of the receptacle lid or in any other way interfere with the use of the receptacle.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show another form of the invention. As best seen in FIG. 10, the body member of the holder may be right angular in cross section, having an upright portion 42 and an outwardly extending portion 44. This embodiment illustrates that the upright portion, namely the portion 42, which extends along the inside of the can, as well as the outwardly extending portion 44, can comprise a continuous length wall rather than employing spaced tabs as in FIG. 1. This embodiment also illustrates that the liner holder can be rectangular in configuration, or if desired it may assume any other suitable configuration besides rectangular and circular. Furthermore, the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 has serrations 46 on the two inner surfaces of the portions 42 and 44 for providing a more positive engagement of the liner 40 and preventing the liner from slipping.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a liner holder 50 which similarly has an upright portion 52 and an outwardly extending top portion 54. In this embodiment, however, it is shaped to fit within a laterally offset portion 56 of a receptacle 14. The cross sectional shape of the liner holder 50 is similar to that of the area into which it is fitted.

In FIGS. 13 and 14 a liner holder 58 has an upright portion 60 and an outwardly extending portion 62 as in the other embodiments. In this form of the invention, the liner holder is constructed of a resilient or bendable material such as plastic so that it can be supplied in long lengths and cut for receptacles in which it is to be used. To hold the cut ends together, the upper portion of the holder has a longitudinally extending bore 64 arranged to receive a core member 66. A longitudinally extending slot 68 extends from the top surface of the holder down into the bore 64 and is of less lateral dimension than the bore 64 but of selected dimension such that the core member 66 can be forced therethrough for snap insertion into the bore 64. The core member 66 is cut to a length so as to provide a good connection between the ends of the holder. It may if desired extend fully around the holder to give support to the holder.

The numeral 70, FIG. 13, depicts the disconnected ends of the holder 58 and the numeral 72 depicts the disconnected ends of the core member 66. In fitting the holder 58 to a receptacle it is cut to the proper length and then the core member 66 snapped into the bore 64 through the slot 68. Such holds the disconnected ends 70 of the holder together. The disconnected ends 72 of the core member 66 are disposed around the holder from the disconnected ends '70, preferably diametrically across the holder.

FIG. shows a connector 74 arranged to be used instead of the core member 66 for connecting the ends of the holder. This connector is in the form of a sleeve and has an upright portion 76 and an upper outwardly extending portion 78. Such connector is the same shape as the holder 58 and is of a size such that upon inserting the ends of the holder 58 thereinto it will frictionally hold them together in an integral unit.

In FIG. 16 a liner holder is provided for a container 14" having a circumferential groove 80 around its outer surface at the top and leading downwardly from the upper edge. In this embodiment, the holder 62 of the invention comprises an annular member arranged to fit in the groove 80. FIG. 17 shows a slightly modified structure of receptacle M" wherein the groove 60 rather than leading down along the outer surface of the receptacle leads downwardly from the top edge between the inner and outer surfaces. It receives a holder 82' similar to the holder of FIG. 16.

FIGS. 18-21 illustrate a further form of the invention 1 designed particularly to be fitted to various sizes and shapes of receptacles. This embodiment in cross section has an upright portion 84 and an outwardly extending portion 86. Such embodiment is provided in strip form and is divided into sections 88 each defined by a projecting four sided frame 90 leading outwardly from the sections in a direction opposite from the direction of extension of portion 66. Each of the frames 90 is separated a short distance from adjacent frames and the portions 66 of the holder have V-shaped notches 92 the apex of which is located at a point between the sections 88. Each of the sections 88 has a plurality of upright rows of holes 941, and these holes are adapted to be engaged by headed knobs or fingers 96, on a connector plate 98. The knobs 96 are provided in upright rows and are arranged to snap into respective rows of holes 94 in the holder.

In fitting a receptacle with the holder of FIGS. 16-21, the holder is cut to the selected length to fit the receptacle and then curved to the necessary shape as shown in FIG. 119. Such curvature is toward the viewer with reference to FIG. 18, and as such curvature takes place, the upright portions of the adjacent frame 90 abut each other to make a rigid formed structure. Then, with the ends of the holder adjacent each other the connector plate 98 is snapped into place with the knobs 96 engaging in selected rows of holes 94. The plurality of rows of holes 94 in the holder and selected engagement thereof by the rows of knobs 96 on the plate 98 permit desired length fitting of a holder to a receptacle.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herein shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various other changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, the tabs 112 of FIG. 1 may be connected by a body portion W at the bottom thereof whereby said tabs would extend upwardly and hook over the top edge of the receptacle. In all the embodiments, the liner is folded over the outside of the holder and can be tucked inside the receptacle by the process of steps set forth hercinbefore.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. Liner means in combination with an open top receptacle having an upright inner surface adjacent to the opening, comprising a. a flexible bag-like liner,

b. a liner holder including an annular body member having an open center and depending portions extending from said body member,

c. the annular body member of said holder being arranged to be supported on an upper edge portion of said open top receptacle and having its depending portions arranged to lie along the upright surface of the receptacle,

(1. the diameter of said body member being less than the outside diameter of said receptacle at its open end so that a lid can be seated on the receptacle with a flange of the lid extending down the outside of the receptacle,

e. said body member being arranged to receive an upper portion of the flexible receptacle liner up through the hollow center thereof and to have the upper portion of the liner pulled over the top and down the outside of said body member whereby upon supporting said body member on the receptacle the upper portion of the liner is arranged to be tucked down inside the receptacle with the body member of said holder clamping a portion of the liner between it and the receptacle to hold the liner from pulling down in the receptacle and at the same time to hold the folded upper portion of the liner inside the receptacle.

2. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim I wherein said body member is constructed of bendable wire stock and has U-shaped tabs as said upright portion.

3. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim ll wherein said body member is constructed of bendable wire stock and said receptacle has an upper curved portion at it opening, said body member having U-shaped tabs as said upright portions and the upright portion of at least one of said tabs having an outwardly facing concaved curvature arranged to engage said upper curved receptacle portion.

4i. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 wherein said body member has disconnected ends,means defining a circumferentially extending bore adjacent to said connected ends, and connector means including a core member frictionally engaged in said bore for holding said body member together at a selected size.

5. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim I wherein said body member has disconnected ends, means defining a circumferentially extending bore adjacent to said disconnected ends and a longitudinally extending slot leading from said bore to an outer surface of the body member, and connector means including a core member movable through said slot for frictional mounting in said bore for holding said body member together at a selected size.

6. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 11 wherein said body member has disconnected ends, means defining a plurality of upright rows of apertures adjacent to its disconnected ends, and connector means including a connector plate having a pair of spaced rows of projections arranged for engagement with said rows of apertures in said body member for holding said body member together at a selected size.

7. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 including toothed means on said body member in a portion thereof which engages the liner.

8. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 in combination with a receptacle having a recessed area arranged to receive said body member.

9. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 wherein said body member has disconnected ends, and including connector means engageable with said body member at said disconnected ends for holding said body member at a selected size.

10. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 9 wherein said connector means includes a sleeve of said body member. 

1. Liner means in combination with an open top receptacle having an upright inner surface adjacent to the opening, comprising a. a flexible bag-like liner, b. a liner holder including an annular body member having an open center and depending portions extending from said body member, c. the annular body member of said holder being arranged to be supported on an upper edge portion of said open top receptacle and having its depending portions arranged to lie along the upright surface of the receptacle, d. the diameter of said body member being less than the outside diameter of said receptacle at its open end so that a lid can be seated on the receptacle with a flange of the lid extending down the outside of the receptacle, e. said body member being arranged to receive an upper portion of the flexible receptacle liner up through the hollow center thereof and to have the upper portion of the liner pulled over the top and down the outside of said body member whereby upon supporting said body member on the receptacle the upper portion of the liner is arranged to be tucked down inside the receptacle with the body member of said holder clamping a portion of the liner between it and the receptacle to hoLd the liner from pulling down in the receptacle and at the same time to hold the folded upper portion of the liner inside the receptacle.
 2. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 wherein said body member is constructed of bendable wire stock and has U-shaped tabs as said upright portion.
 3. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 wherein said body member is constructed of bendable wire stock and said receptacle has an upper curved portion at it opening, said body member having U-shaped tabs as said upright portions and the upright portion of at least one of said tabs having an outwardly facing concaved curvature arranged to engage said upper curved receptacle portion.
 4. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 wherein said body member has disconnected ends,means defining a circumferentially extending bore adjacent to said connected ends, and connector means including a core member frictionally engaged in said bore for holding said body member together at a selected size.
 5. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 wherein said body member has disconnected ends, means defining a circumferentially extending bore adjacent to said disconnected ends and a longitudinally extending slot leading from said bore to an outer surface of the body member, and connector means including a core member movable through said slot for frictional mounting in said bore for holding said body member together at a selected size.
 6. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 wherein said body member has disconnected ends, means defining a plurality of upright rows of apertures adjacent to its disconnected ends, and connector means including a connector plate having a pair of spaced rows of projections arranged for engagement with said rows of apertures in said body member for holding said body member together at a selected size.
 7. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 including toothed means on said body member in a portion thereof which engages the liner.
 8. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 in combination with a receptacle having a recessed area arranged to receive said body member.
 9. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 1 wherein said body member has disconnected ends, and including connector means engageable with said body member at said disconnected ends for holding said body member at a selected size.
 10. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 9 wherein said connector means includes a sleeve arranged to frictionally fit over said body member at its disconnected ends for holding said body member at said selected size.
 11. The liner means and receptacle combination of claim 9 wherein said connector means includes a sleeve arranged to freely fit over said body member at its disconnected ends for holding said body member at said selected size and also including longitudinally adjustable connecting means secured to said body member at opposite ends of said sleeve for adjusting the diameter of said body member. 